I don't care what anyone says about coat...I think you've got a stunning girl! Thanks for sharing the picture.

I use a comb similar to the one mentioned in an earlier -- made my Hartz I think, smooth metal teeth about 1 1/2" long. Looks like a flea comb with bigger teeth and slightly wider. It's got a nice sturdy handle. It works wonders at taking the big and small burrs out of my girl's beard and coat.

She gets into the tiny burrs so badly, her ears stick to the top of her head sometimes! We take the comb with us and will take out burrs as we go. They're easy to comb out but you've gotta be firm with the comb.

I've wondered about using a light coat of vaseline over her face to help deter the burrs when we're on long hikes, but washing this out would be a pain. I had someone recommend to me a horse product: ShowSheen or somethign similar. Apparently you sprai it on, and it's very slick. I haven't looked into it yet.

What works best for us is to have the comb along for the ride when we go.

Well... after a few days in South Dakota and another trip to the woodcock spots, the burrs are not much of a problem. Almost all the "long" hair on her head is gone and she's less fuzzy from head to toe.

She worked hard in SD and encountered a skunk, which just missed getting her entire face. Her beard stinks a little when it's wet... but overall she was lucky. So was I, come to think of it. My lab got sprayed years ago and she stunk forever and getting rid of that smell was a real hassle.

Sophie made a nice point on woodcock Saturday and also made a couple of nice retrieves from the really thick stuff.

She's not as pretty as she was a few weeks ago... but she certainly looks more like a true bird dog. Minor scars, bumps and bare spots... just about everywhere! <g>_________________Indiana Mitch
"Are the woodcock down yet?"